DNP and Keio Research Institute at SFC Jointly Research Distance Learning System with function Allowing Teachers to Conduct Personal Instruction

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) and the Platform Design Laboratory of
the Keio Research Institute at SFC (Shonan Fujisawa Campus), part of Keio University
located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, have reached an agreement regarding joint
research into developing a distance learning. DNP aims to capitalize on the
results of this joint research to enter the remote system-driven education business.

Distance learning based teaching was legalized in April 2015, and since then
such activities have seen advances at high schools throughout Japan. Although
great importance is placed upon this approach in Japanese elementary and junior
high schools, there are limitations to this type of teaching format, including
the difficulty in implementing progress checking based on personal instruction
for each pupil or student, As a result, schools have shown some hesitation in
adopting distance learning, even while expressing interest in such systems.

The Platform Design Laboratory at the Keio Research Institute at SFC has
accumulated distance learning-based operational know how over an extended period
of time, and has developed a track record in supervising the creation of distance
learning systems at high schools and local authorities throughout Japan. In
particular, by being able to provide for progress checking based on personal
instruction for each student, which is a challenge at present, the new system
is deemed important for the wider dissemination of such systems going forward.
Keio Research Institute at SFC has entered into a joint research alliance with
DNP, which maintains the technology needed to acquire and manage data retrieved
during the pupil learning process by employing a variety of devices, including
tablet terminals and paper.

Based on the results of this joint research, DNP will develop a system to
realize real time communication between individual pupils and remotely located
teachers during group lessons, facilitating improved satisfaction for both parties.
Apart from proposing such systems to education business operators, DNP also
aims to offer distance learning opportunities in line with those new teaching
formats likely to emerge following the introduction of university entrance examination
reforms. With the collaboration between high schools and universities increasing,
DNP expects high level needs for such distance learning especially from high
schools that have already commenced it as a regular class. At the same time,
DNP plans to offer the new system to other public and private educational institutions
as well, including elementary and middle schools, universities, and private
prep schools.

[Background]

In April 2015, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology,
partially revised the Enforcement Regulations for the School Education Law,
as a measure against the lack of teachers on remote islands and in mountainous
areas of Japan, and with the objective of providing new learning opportunities.
As a result, it has become possible to take courses at locations other than
the classroom through using a variety of media in a sophisticated manner at
all high schools throughout Japan, and distance learning has been certified
as a formal teaching technique for granting credits required for graduation.

However, even while some high schools fulfill the necessary conditions for
conducting distance learning, satisfaction levels among pupils remain around
60% - 70% compared to face-to-face classes, according to findings by Keio Research
Institute at SFC Platform Design Laboratory. Local authorities and school developers
are also faced with severe financial conditions, and it is not possible to adopt
highly priced systems. Hence, the function that facilitates progress checking
through appropriate personal instructions, where the teacher grasps the progress
and comprehension level of each individual student, is one of the functions
of distance learning system that should be emphasized alongside voice-delivered
teaching techniques.

[System Summary]

With usual distance learning systems, the teacher is capable of merely gaining
an overview of the class. As a result, it is not possible to perform personal
instruction, or to control the pace of the class in line with the progress of
each individual pupil. The newly developed system uses ICT devices for pupils,
such as tablet terminals and digital pens, the internet, along with the written
and spoken words and texts. In this manner, it is possible to perform real time
three-way communication among pupils, the remotely located teacher and the teacher
in the classroom, and provide an immersive sensation that equates to on-site
personal instruction.

Major functions:

Monitoring of the learning progress status of each pupil.

Allowing for teachers to answer pupils' questions when they raise their
hands.

Communicating with classroom based teachers.

Using this system makes it possible for teachers to offer verbal advice to
pupils having difficulties in their classwork, or to review the pace of the
class in line with the progress of individual pupils in a flexible manner. Also,
as it is possible to correct written work during class time, this helps to reduce
the time it takes to return corrected or marked work to the pupil.

It is also possible to operate the system using multiple teachers. This makes
it possible to provide personal instruction and appraisals that are superior
to those currently offered, including more detailed instruction and faster correction
or marking.

Joint research by the partners will show the way forward to optimal equipment
and system configurations offering the functions necessary to respond to a variety
of network environments at schools.

[User Benefits]

Severe finances at local authorities have produced a tendency to reducing
teacher numbers. As a result, it is not possible to deploy sufficient teaching
staff in sparsely populated areas, such as isolated islands and mountainous
areas, and more than 500 schools are forced to close each year. By using this
newly developed system it will be possible to provide classes in subjects manned
by insufficient teaching staff, leading to hopes that further school closures
can be prevented.

It is also true that there are not enough teachers capable of offering instruction
in new subjects, such as computer programing and discussion-based classes that
are expected to assume increasing importance in line with the recent Japan's
national policy. Using the new system offers more schools the opportunity to
provide classes leading to the development of new skills.

[Looking Ahead]

With the cooperation of participating high schools and educational organizations
throughout Japan, supervising distance learning systems Keio Research Institute
at SFC Platform Design Laboratory has commenced experimental studies in the
real time sharing of the written contents of pupil classwork.

The research partners will perform experiments at multiple participating
schools for a period of six-months, and based on the resultant assessments will
construct a teaching system capable of being linked to various distance conference
systems.

DNP will also draw up a parallel business model, and make proposals to educational
business operators and end users, aiming to launch a distance learning business
in the autumn of 2016.

Our concrete business vision, sees DNP aiming to provide distance learning,
by offering our core systems to business operators already offering distance
learning educational services, and through cooperation with educational business
operators in an independent manner.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this news
release are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at any
time without notice.